Advent series “Long Expected Jesus”
Week 3 Jesus is Lord
Selective verses
Introduction-
For a moment last week after the skit, I said that Jesus is the light of the world.
To Christians, we know exactly what that means and what that looks like for our lives.
But to those seeking, those who are far from God, that carries mixed thoughts.
Those seeking God, it means an attraction to know more about God.
Those far away from God or in rebellion of God for something they believe God did or did not do, it means a light that they are avoiding.
In the light of God, because of what Jesus Christ did for each of us; We find:
Jesus is the hope.
Jesus is peace.
Jesus is Joy.
Many who claim to know Jesus do not live with the Hope, the peace, and the joy that Jesus is supposed to bring to His people.
We struggle to measure up to others.
We struggle if we are good enough for Jesus to love us.
We hear the message of Jesus at Christmas and it does not change us.
The Good News is that Jesus was born and lived and died and rose again. That is the Christmas message of His birth and the Easter message of His resurrection rolled up into providing salvation through Jesus Christ and Him alone.
Matthew 1:23-Text
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”.)
The bottom line is that is God’s plan and God’s plans don’t fail or fall short. Jesus is coming in the womb of a virgin and it will be God with us! God coming to us, It is God’s plan of redemption.
If Jesus Christ had not come
The world would still be in darkness with no way out.
The world would not know what love is. The sacrificial love of God.
There would be no Good News.
There would be no Hope. Our hope is squarely on the back of Jesus Christ.
There could not be any Peace. The peace of God passes all understanding and a peace that can be had even in trial and troubles of life.
We could never experience God’s Joy. The joy that does not look at our situation and circumstances but the inner joy that only God could bring.
He came down here so we could go up there!
John 6:38-
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
The two miracles work together- His birth and His resurrection -so that we might have eternal life and be redeemed by Jesus Christ.
If we accept what Jesus has done and acknowledge Him as Lord, we are promised redemption under his shed blood and his resurrection. He was resurrected and we will be resurrected.
If we do not accept what Jesus has done for us, we will not have our sins forgiven and His shed blood will be for us in vein.
Either way, we will at least one time in our lives acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord-
“Every knee will bow and every tongue confuse that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
We can come to His table with His blessing or come to Judgment with His wrath.
People knew Jesus was coming- one generation after another, the message has been passed down that they are not forgotten people but chosen people.
The prophet Isaiah wrote “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”- a voice of one calling in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”
John the Baptist came and brought with him the message.
Every generation since has had the voice of one calling us to see the Christ child for who He is- The savior of the world.
John the Baptist told them to repent for the forgiveness of sins.
The message is the same today- repent, see God for who He is and for what He has done for each of us.
The words of John the Baptist brought hope to a world that needed hope.
There hope was hinged on a prophet and future savior coming, our hope on this side of Jesus coming the first time and fulfilling all prophesy is the completion and promise of Jesus Christ and His second return for His people.
Every year there is some sort of message to prepare for Jesus second return and to be ready.
That we (you and I) not let Christmas get away from us and to be mindful of the true reason for Christmas.
Illustration-
Typical of the last minute Christmas shoppers, a mother was running furiously from store to store, suddenly she became aware that the little hand of her three year old was no longer clutched in hers. She traced her steps and found him standing with his little nose pressed flatly against a frosty window. He was gazing at a manger scene. Hearing his mother screaming, he turned and shouted with innocence, look mommy! It’s baby Jesus! With obvious indifference, she impatiently jerked him away, saying we don’t have time for that!
We have to have time for that! Because that is Christmas!
I have great memories of Christmas as a kid.
The anticipation of Christmas was probably over the top for my mother at times.
It was not only the presents, though my mother worked 2-3 jobs and did not get any help from my father who left when I was 2 years old with my mother pregnant with my brother.
It was because my mother and grandparents made it special. I felt special, I felt loved.
We were dirt poor and I never gave it a second thought.
There has to be a balance, not forgetting Jesus and not forgetting to remind our children what Christmas is really about as well as expressing our love for each other by gifts of appreciation.
There are some people who can just walk in a store and get everything they need and complete their shopping painlessly. I walk into a store and people who work there know I don’t have a clue of what I am doing. I am the deer in the headlights. I wander around trying to find the right gift for everyone.
Truthfully,
I struggle sometimes buying presents for people who could care less about Jesus birth and celebrate the event without the guest of honor invited. To me, it is like having a birthday party for someone when it is not their birthday.
Part of the problem today is people don’t think that they need a savior.
Most want a savior, but do not want Jesus to be Lord of their lives. (Repeat)
There has to be Lordship in your life.
To experience all the promises of God, you have to be a follower of God. (Repeat)
Not perfect, just forgiven.
Thirsty for the things of God.
Willing to allow God to have a say in your life.
He became a servant of God so that we could become sons and daughters of God.
The God of the universe left His home in heaven so that we could have opportunity to share eternity with Him.
Scriptures
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests but the Son of man has no place to lay His head.”
“In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
“I am the living bread which came from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.”
“Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water I shall give them will never thirst.”
We are the only ones created in God’s image. ( People).
Jesus Christ has stepped in to redeem mankind.
He made a way back- the wayward angels have no way back.
We are adopted into the family of God by one way and His name is Jesus Christ.
It comes with benefits- the power of the Holy Spirit of God dwelling inside of each believer.
It comes with Hope, Peace and the Joy of God.
As I wind this down, it is not debatable if Jesus is Lord- God the Father gave Him that title and that authority.
What is up for your eternity is weather Jesus is Lord of your life.
Again our text-
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which is translated “God with us”
I know why there are so many problems that come at Christmas time-
Satan hates Christmas and he will do whatever he can to get your focus off Jesus and on circumstances and problems.
I told you before, I do not see evil behind every tree, but it is not a coincidence.
Vehicles break down
Money tight
Sicknesses
Job changes
Relations are stressed.
Depression
Loneliness
Deaths
Because if we lose focus of Jesus, we miss Christmas.
The miracle of Christmas is not getting presents- it is giving.
Jesus gave Himself.
When we give, we focus on others the same way that Christ gave for us.
By giving, I mean giving of yourself, you let the love of Christ shine in your life.
You become the light.
You begin to take authority that has been given to you by your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
You decide that you will not lose focus and make this the best Christmas ever no matter what you are going through, and no matter if you get anything for Christmas.
If you do not know this Jesus that I have been talking about, you can meet Him this morning and surrender your life to him and He… will change your life forever.
In January, we will as a church will look deep into our own lives to see where we are at in our relationship with God. Programs are great and we need them, but we need Jesus!
We need a relationship with him that will stand the test of trials and circumstances of life.
We need to be less a member who addends church once in awhile and more a follower of Christ.
Less attracted by what the church universal is offering and more mission minded at being about the business of Jesus Christ and His kingdom.
The offer of salvation is free, you cannot earn it. But once you receive it, you cannot sit idle, you have to count the cost and follow Jesus.
This world needs to see God’s people following their savior- that is the best gift you can get from God and the best gift you can give back to God.
There is not magic in my words this morning, but there is magic in the moment that Jesus Christ makes Himself known to you and you have a choice of following or watching from the sidelines. What do you say? Will you today not just say a few words because you were moved, but ask God to change your life forever-Amen.
